Armando Bacot recently shed light on why Dawson Garcia left the UNC basketball program midway through the season. Garcia, initially seen as a major addition to the Tar Heels, only lasted half a season in Chapel Hill before returning home due to family-related issues.

While it’s undisputed that Garcia left to be with his family, Bacot revealed there were additional factors at play. Speaking on Tidal League’s “Run Your Race Podcast,” hosted by former Tar Heel Theo Pinson, Bacot explained the challenges Garcia faced.

“We started Dawson (over) Brady Manek because, at the time, he was supposed to go to the league. He had a lot of stuff going for him. He was skilled. He was a good player, but he didn’t realize what Carolina was all about. He didn’t realize that if you play a bad game, they are going to tell you about it. A lot of that stuff was tough for him. He had a lot of family stuff going on. Then Coach Davis began starting Brady, and then after that, he just got his stuff and left,” Bacot said.

Garcia was a starter for the Tar Heels until he suffered a concussion on January 2 against Boston College. After returning for two games off the bench, the program announced on January 24 that Garcia would be leaving.

Ultimately, the move worked out for the Tar Heels, as Brady Manek excelled in his starting role and became one of the team’s best players during their run to the national championship game. This situation highlights that not all transfers are perfect fits, and some players struggle with the pressures of playing for a prestigious program like North Carolina.

Armando Bacot reveals how much NIL money he made during his UNC basketball career

Armando Bacot truly benefitted from the NIL rules implemented midway through his collegiate career, which have transformed the lives of student-athletes across the country.

For Bacot, being part of a prestigious program like North Carolina had its perks. As a star on the UNC basketball team, he was able to capitalize on his Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) in a significant way. On a recent episode of Tidal League’s “Run Your Race Podcast,” hosted by fellow UNC basketball alum Theo Pinson, Bacot discussed the impact of NIL and the amount of money he made through it.

“I had no clue. I didn’t know what I was doing. You go from [making no money] to being a millionaire fast. It was crazy. We didn’t realize it. I made $2+ million. I’m saying that humbly, though. That speaks of the brand at North Carolina. If I didn’t go to North Carolina, I wouldn’t have been doing those deals at Turbo Tax and others,” Bacot shared.

This “life-changing” money, amounting to over $2 million, was earned since the NIL rules came into effect during Bacot’s UNC career. He credited North Carolina for positioning him to secure top-flight endorsement deals.

 

“To recruits, if you go to Carolina and you handle business and you go out there and play and be somewhat marketable, it pays. I could never say a bad word about (North) Carolina. I got life-changing money. I am from Richmond, Virginia, I got life-changing money in college just off playing basketball. That’s why I am forever grateful to Carolina and the brand. To make over $2 million just in college is crazy,” Bacot emphasized.

Armando Bacot made how much at UNC? 🤯💰 pic.twitter.com/ZFHrF9gEvk

— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) July 2, 2024

Bacot also offered advice to future recruits, highlighting that success on the court and in the NIL world is attainable at North Carolina. His experience demonstrates that handling business on the court can lead to substantial financial rewards.

Throughout his five-year UNC basketball career, Bacot became the face of the program, bridging the end of the Roy Williams era and the start of the Hubert Davis era. He led the Tar Heels to a national championship appearance in 2022, a run that included notable victories in Coach K’s final regular season home game and his last game in the Elite 8.

Bacot, like other players who used their fifth season of eligibility, faced criticism for staying in college another season. However, with the amount of NIL money Bacot earned, many critics are now reconsidering their stance.

Can anyone blame Bacot (or any other upperclassmen) for seizing the opportunity to earn substantial money while earning a college degree? Bacot’s story provides 2 million reasons why staying in Chapel Hill was the right choice for him.